No. 3 W. Virginia tops No. 12 Ohio St.

Zublasing posts combined score of 1,180 to lead Mountaineers

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- No. 3 West Virginia pushed its record to 9-0 on the season with a 4,680-4,616 victory at No. 12 Ohio State on Sunday.

The Mountaineers (9-0, 4-0 GARC) earned wins in both guns, outshooting the Buckeyes in smallbore 2,322-2,283 and air rifle 2,358-2,333.

The match was WVU’s third on the road this season and first since winning at Nebraska on Oct. 16. Additionally, the Mountaineers’ final score is the squad’s best away from the WVU Rifle Range this season.

WVU’s win against OSU is its second victory in three days, as the Mountaineers trumped No. 4 Alaska-Fairbanks, 4,676-4,626, on Jan. 20, at the WVU Rifle Range.

“Today was a bit of a challenge for a few of the shooters,” Mountaineer coach Jon Hammond said. “When you travel to a new range, there’s always a need for adjustments, but I think everyone managed the problems well. It was good to go in there, get the win and end our weekend at 2-0.”

WVU’s match with Ohio State was a preview of sorts for the 2012 National Championships, as OSU will play host to the two-day match on March 9-10.

“Prior to today, only Justin [Pentz] and Mike [Kulbacki] had shot at this range; it was very important that we got in here for a match before the NCAA Championships,” Hammond added. “Today was a good experience for everyone and it will help us in March. Every range has its own quirks, but now we have something to build on and help us prepare for the championships.”

After sitting out the win against the Nanooks, junior Petra Zublasing returned to the range and finished first overall with an 1,180 combined score. OSU’s Amanda Furrer shot 1,173 and finished second, while WVU senior Michael Kulbacki shot 1,166, one shot short of his season-best mark, and finished third.

Zublasing, an Appiano, Italy, native, finished first in both guns, shooting 592 (97-99-100-100-99-97) in air rifle and 588 (199 prone, 194 standing, 195 kneeling) in smallbore.

Furrer pushed Zublasing for the wins, as she finished second in both disciplines with scores of 590 air rifle and 583 smallbore.

After shooting a season-best 590 on Friday, Kulbacki continued his strong weekend with a third place, 589 air rifle score. Freshman Taylor Ciotola shot a personal-best 589 and tied for third, while senior Justin Pentz shot 588 for fifth place.

“Mike has more confidence this semester, and his hard training is starting to pay off,” Hammond said.

Freshman Thomas Kyanko finished behind Zublasing and Furrer in smallbore with a 582 score; included in his mark was a school-record 200 prone score. Kulbacki matched his season high and shot 577, good enough for fourth place, while Ciotola shot 575 and finished in fifth place.

Zublasing, Pentz, Kulbacki, Kyanko and Ciotola combined for the Mountaineers’ team scores.

The victory marked WVU’s 38th consecutive against the Buckeyes; OSU has never defeated WVU.